Agitation units and systems, and dispensing equipment equipped therewith

ABSTRACT

An agitation unit for use in a lawn spreader and other dispensing equipment, and oscillating agitation systems therefor comprising such an agitation unit. The agitation unit includes a hub, an arm extending from the hub, and an extension on the arm configured to project downwardly to an extent relative to the arm and the hub to protrude into, but not through, the outlet passageway of the hopper.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a division patent application of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/692,711 filed Aug. 31, 2017, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/385,531, filed Sep. 9,2016. The contents of these prior applications are incorporated hereinby reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to equipment for dispensing drysolid particles, and to agitation systems therefor. More particularly,the present invention relates to agitation units and systems capable ofuse in broadcast spreaders and other dispensing equipment.

Broadcast spreaders encompass a variety of dispensing equipment that arecommonly used to spread (broadcast) dry particulate or granularmaterials, nonlimiting examples of which include fertilizers and seeds.As a matter of convenience, these and other types of dry particulate andgranular materials will hereinafter be simply referred to as granularmaterials. Common types of broadcast spreaders comprise a hopper havingone or more outlet passageways through which the granular material dropsfrom the hopper onto a dispersion impeller (platter) located beneath thehopper. The impeller is rotated so that material dropped onto its uppersurface is spread on surfaces surrounding the spreader. Due to thepresence of a rotating impeller to broadcast the granular material, suchspreaders are commonly referred to as rotary spreaders and are capableof broadcasting a wide variety of granular materials. Notable examplesof rotary spreaders include those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,336,600and 7,954,573, PermaGreen® Ride-On Spreader Sprayers commerciallyavailable from Perma-Green Supreme, Inc., and LESCO® brand spreaderscommercially available from various retail outlets.

Oscillating agitation systems and rotary agitation systems are wellknown and commercially available for rotary spreaders. For example, U.S.Pat. No. 280,437 to Armstrong discloses a downwardly-extendinghorizontally-rotating agitator arm that passes in close proximity to anoutlet passageway of a hopper through which a dry granular materialdrops from the hopper onto a spinning platter. Another example isdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,406,915 to Dweyer, which discloses anagitation unit with extensions that extend downward, passing close tobut not entering an outlet passageway in a hopper.

While providing a level of agitation above outlet passageways, theagitators noted above have well known shortcomings. For example,fertilizer is hydroscopic and absorbs moisture from the air causing itto stick together and form clumps that clog or bridge over thepassageways below the agitator extensions and within the outletpassageways themselves. Furthermore, during agitation all agitatorsabrade the material being agitated and create a fine dust that mayfurther aggravate bridging and clogging problems within the outletpassageways of the hopper. A partially bridged or completely cloggedoutlet passageway causes an uneven output and application of thematerial causing unsightly results. Furthermore, once clogged the hoppermay have to be emptied to clear the clog, consuming valuable time.

Rotary agitators have additional well-known problems resulting from theagitator extension traveling in a complete circular path, such that theextension contacts more of the granular material and is likely to causemore abrasion of the material than occurs with oscillating agitators. Asa result, rotary agitators tend to produce more fine dust and smallparticles that can build up within the outlet passageways of a hopper.

It should be clear from the above description that it would be desirableif an agitation system were available that was capable of reducingclogging of a dry granular material being dispensed by a device andthereby promote flow-through of the material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides agitation units and systems equipped withone or more agitator arms capable of reducing clogging of a dry granularmaterial being dispensed by dispensing equipment, and to dispensingequipment equipped with such agitation units and systems.

According to one aspect of the invention, an agitation unit isconfigured for use in dispensing equipment comprising a hopper, animpeller located beneath the hopper and operable to spread a drygranular material deposited on an upper surface thereof, an outletpassageway in the hopper through which the granular material drops fromthe hopper onto the impeller, a rotating shaft, and an oscillatingagitation system having a cam on the rotating shaft. The agitation unitincludes a hub, an arm extending from the hub, and an extension on thearm configured to project downwardly to an extent relative to the armand the hub to protrude into, but not through, the outlet passageway ofthe hopper.

According to another aspect of the invention, an oscillating agitationsystem is configured for use in dispensing equipment comprising ahopper, an impeller located beneath the hopper and operable to spread adry granular material deposited on an upper surface thereof, an outletpassageway in the hopper through which the granular material drops fromthe hopper onto the impeller, and a rotating shaft. The oscillatingagitation system includes a cam on the rotating shaft, and an agitationunit comprising a hub, an arm extending from the hub, and an extensionof the arm configured to project downwardly to an extent relative to thearm and the hub to protrude into, but not through, the outlet passagewayof the hopper. A coupling unit couples the arm to the cam and converts arotational motion of the cam into motion of the extension within theoutlet passageway.

Other aspects of the invention include dispensing equipment equippedwith agitation units and oscillating agitation systems as describedabove, and retrofit kits comprising elements of the agitation units andoscillating agitation systems described above.

Technical aspects of the oscillating agitation units and systemsdescribed above preferably include the ability to reduce abrasion of drygranular materials in the vicinity of an outlet passageway through whichthe materials must pass. Such oscillating agitation units and systemsare also preferably capable of use on a variety of dispensing equipment,including but not limited to rotary spreaders such as power-drivenride-on spreaders, power-driven walk-behind spreaders, push-typespreaders, and spreaders mounted on other vehicles. It is envisionedthat the oscillating agitation units and systems could also improveother devices that transfer or convey a dry granular material and wouldbenefit from agitation within an outlet passageway through which thematerial must pass.

Other aspects and advantages of this invention will be betterappreciated from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B represent two embodiments of agitation units configuredfor installation in a hopper of dispensing equipment adapted tobroadcast a dry granular material.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a hopper in which theagitation unit of FIG. 1A is installed and attached to a conventionaloscillating means.

FIG. 3 contains four images that depict views from beneath a hopper inwhich the agitation unit of FIG. 1A is installed, and show theprocession (Positions 1 through 4) of the agitation unit in action as aresult of being coupled to an oscillating means.

FIGS. 4A through 4F schematically represent alternative means foraffixing the agitation unit of FIG. 1A to a cam coupling unit of variousoscillating agitation systems.

FIG. 5 represents an embodiment of an agitation unit comprising armsformed of bent rods that are metallurgically attached to a hub of theunit.

FIG. 6 represents an embodiment of an agitation unit comprisingremovable, replaceable, and repositionable arms connected to a hub ofthe unit.

FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the agitation unit of FIGS.1A, 2, 3, and 4 installed on a rotary spreader equipped as part of anoscillating agitation system.

FIG. 8 schematically represents the hopper of the spreader of FIG. 7further equipped with a rate adjuster adapted to establish differentflow rates of granular material corresponding to different ground speedsof the spreader.

FIG. 9 schematically represents a control system for adjustably remotelyoperating the rate adjuster of FIG. 8 to enable the adjuster to bepreset at any one of the different flow rates.

FIG. 10 schematically represents an adjustable deflector operable incombination with the rate adjuster of FIG. 8 and the control system ofFIG. 9 to selectively shunt the granular material pattern away fromareas where granular material is unwanted.

FIG. 11 schematically represents an exploded view of an embodiment of akit for converting a rotary agitation system to an oscillating agitationsystem.

FIG. 12 contains four images that depict views showing the procession(Positions 1 through 4) of the agitation unit of FIG. 11 in action as aresult of being coupled to the oscillating means.

FIGS. 13 and 14 schematically represent exploded and assembly views,respectively, of components of a kit for converting a rotary agitationsystem to an oscillating agitation system.

FIG. 15 contains four images that depict views showing the procession(Positions 1 through 4) of the oscillating agitation system of FIGS. 13and 14 in action.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The drawings depict various embodiments of agitation units 1 configuredto be used in place of, or to replace, an original equipment agitationunit on a variety of conventional and commercially available rotaryspreaders equipped with oscillating agitation systems. Particular butnonlimiting examples of spreaders with conventional oscillatingagitation systems that fall within the scope of this invention are thePermaGreen® Ride-On Triumph, Magnum, and Ultra; LESCO® BRAND spreaders,including but not limited to the Truckster 12-volt powered spreader, theHPS ride-on spreader, the Chariot ride-on spreader sprayer, the 80-poundrotary push type walk-behind spreader; and LESCO brand spreadersinstalled on other equipment produced by other manufacturers, such ascertain LT Rich brand spreaders and spreader sprayers.

To facilitate the description provided below of the embodimentsrepresented in the drawings, relative terms, including but not limitedto, “vertical,” “horizontal,” “lateral,” “front,” “rear,” “side,”“forward,” “rearward,” “upward,” “downward,” “above,” “below,” “right,”“left,” etc., may be used in reference to the perspective of an operatorduring the operation of a machine on which the invention is installed,and therefore are relative terms that are useful to describeinstallations of the invention but should not be otherwise interpretedas limiting the scope of the invention. For convenience, consistentreference numbers are used throughout the drawings to identify the sameor functionally related or equivalent elements.

Two embodiments of agitation units 1 are schematically represented inFIGS. 1A and 1B. Each unit 1 is generally configured to have a generallyhorizontal orientation when installed in a hopper of a rotary spreader(not shown). Each unit 1 is a unitary, one-piece article having multiplearms 2, each extending in a generally radial direction from a hub 4 ofthe unit 1. Each arm 2 has an extension 3 that extends downward to anextent relative to the arm 2 and hub 4 to be able to protrude into oneof a corresponding number of outlet passageways (not shown) of thehopper in which the unit 1 is installed. Each hub 4 is formed to have aD-shaped hole 5 to enable the unit 1 to be mated with and suitablyaffixed to a complementary D-shaped shaft of a conventional oscillatingmeans (not shown). The complementary D-shapes of the hole 5 and shaftserve to align the downwardly-projecting extensions 3 so as to protrudeinto the outlet passageways and prevent the agitation unit 1 fromrotating on the shaft. It should be apparent that the positions of thearms 2 may be adjusted in a nonlimiting way by bending in relationshipwith the hub 4 and the outlet passageways. The unit 1 of FIG. 1B isfurther equipped with opposing pairs of additional extensions 6 thatextend perpendicularly from each arm 2 to increase agitation beyond theentrances of the outlet passageways. It should be apparent that thepositions of the extensions 3 and 6 may be adjusted in a nonlimiting wayby bending the extensions 3 and 6 relative to the arms 2.

FIG. 2 shows the agitation unit 1 of FIG. 1A operably affixed to a knowncam coupling unit 11 installed in a hopper 8 (shown in partiallycross-section) of a rotary spreader. The spreader is equipped with animpeller (platter) 9 that is rotated by a drive shaft 16, and the camcoupling unit 11 couples the agitation unit 1 to a cam 15 mounted on theshaft 16. In combination, the agitation unit 1, cam coupling unit 11,and cam 15 constitute an oscillating agitation system 7 of the spreader.The hopper 8 is represented as having three outlet passageways 10 in itsbottom wall (floor) through which a granular material within the hopper8 is able to drop onto the impeller 9, such that rotation of theimpeller 9 causes the material deposited thereon to be broadcast ontosurfaces surrounding the spreader. A metering plate (not shown) may bemounted below the hopper 8 to control the flow of dry granular materialthrough the outlet passageways 10. The agitation unit 1 is mounted withthe cam coupling unit 11 so that its downwardly projecting extensions 3protrude into, but not through, the outlet passageways 10. In thenonlimiting embodiment shown, the unit 1 is operably affixed by means ofa cotter pin 17 to a D-shaped portion of a cam follower shaft 12, whichalong with a cam follower 13 forms the cam coupling unit 11. The camfollower shaft 12 rotatably passes through the hopper 8 by means of asuitable bearing 14 molded into the hopper 8 or affixed to the hopper 8,for example, by means of screws (not shown). The cam 15 is suitablycoupled to the drive shaft 16 of the impeller 9 for rotation therewith,and is in operable communication with the cam follower 13 so thatrotation of the cam 15 causes the cam coupling unit 11 to oscillate.

Positions 1, 2, 3, and 4 of FIG. 3 depict the progression of the actionof the agitation unit 1 caused by one revolution of the rotating cam 15.As the cam 15 (and drive shaft 16) rotates clockwise, the cam follower13 converts the rotational input of the cam 15 into counter-clockwise(Position 2) and clockwise (Position 4) oscillations of the cam follower13 about the axis of the cam follower shaft 12, which is able to rotatewithin the bearing 14 but is otherwise fixed with respect to the hopper8. The cam follower shaft 12 transmits the oscillating motion to theagitation unit 1 and its arms 2, whose extensions 3 protrude into butnot through the outlet passageways 10 of the hopper 8. As a result, theextensions 3 also oscillate in counter-clockwise (Position 2) andclockwise (Position 4) directions about the axis of the cam followershaft 12 to break up any clogs or bridging of the material in thevicinity of the entrances of the passageways 10 and within thepassageways 10, thereby promoting the flow of the granular material intoand through the passageways 10.

FIGS. 4A through 4F illustrate various embodiments of means by whichagitation units 1 of the present invention may be suitably and operablyaffixed to shafts of cam coupling units 11 of various rotary spreadersequipped with oscillating agitation systems. In each case, the affixingmeans serves to prevent the rotation of agitation unit 1 on the shaft 12of the cam coupling unit 11 and align the downwardly-projectingextensions 3 of the unit 1 with the outlet passageways (not shown) of ahopper in which the unit 1 is installed.

The cam follower shaft 12 of FIG. 4A exemplifies a cam coupling unit 11of a type used on certain PermaGreen® equipment. A D-shaped portion ofthe cam follower shaft 12 is aligned for insertion into a D-shaped hole5 of the agitation unit 1 of FIG. 1A, after which the unit 1 can beaffixed to the shaft 12 with a cotter pin 17 inserted in a hole drilledin the shaft 12.

The cam follower shaft 12 of FIG. 4B exemplifies a cam coupling unit 11of a type used on certain LESCO® equipment. A D-shaped portion of thecam follower shaft 12 is aligned for insertion into a D-shaped hole 5 ofthe agitation unit 1 of FIG. 1A, after which the unit 1 can be affixedto the shaft 12 with a push nut 18 forced onto the shaft 12.

The cam follower shaft 12 of FIG. 4C exemplifies a cam coupling unit 11of a type used on certain other LESCO® equipment. A D-shaped portion ofthe cam follower shaft 12 is aligned for insertion into a D-shaped hole5 of the agitation unit 1 of FIG. 1A, after which the unit 1 can beaffixed to the shaft 12 with an external retaining ring 19 forced into agroove formed in the circumference of the shaft 12.

The cam follower shafts 12 of FIGS. 4D and 4E exemplify cam couplingunits 11 of other types known in the industry. In both embodiments, aD-shaped portion of the cam follower shaft 12 is aligned for insertioninto a D-shaped hole 5 of the agitation unit 1 of FIG. 1A, after whichthe unit 1 is affixed to the shaft 12. In FIG. 4D, the unit 1 is affixedwith a shaft collar 20 that may be attached to the agitation unit 1 byany suitable means (for example, metallurgically (such as resistancewelding) or mechanically), enabling the unit 1 to be secured to theshaft 12 by means of a set screw in the shaft collar 20 (not shown). InFIG. 4E, the unit 1 is affixed to the shaft 12 with a nut 21 and lockwasher 22, the former of which is threaded onto a threaded portion (notshown) of the shaft 12.

In a preferred embodiment, the cam follower shaft 12 of FIG. 4Fexemplifies a cam coupling unit 11 of still another type known in theindustry. The cam follower shaft 12 is again shown as aligned forinsertion into the hole 5 of the agitation unit 1 of FIG. 1A. However,the hole 5 and the portion of the shaft 12 received in the hole 5 havecomplementary circular shapes. Similar to the embodiment of FIG. 4D, theunit 1 is then affixed to the shaft 12 with a shaft collar 20 that maybe attached to the agitation unit 1 by any suitable means (for example,resistance welding), enabling the unit 1 to be secured to the shaft 12with a setscrew (not shown). It is foreseeable that the unit 1 of FIG.4F could be similarly installed on one of the other shafts 12represented in FIGS. 4A through 4E.

The agitation units 1 shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4A through 4F areunitary, one-piece articles having multiple arms 2 that extend ingenerally radial directions from the hub 4 of the unit 1. In the case ofFIGS. 4D and 4F, the agitations units 1 and the collars 20 affixedthereto can also be viewed as unitary, one-piece articles. The presentinvention encompasses other configurations of agitation units 1including units 1 whose arms 2 may be adjustable, movable, replaceable,and/or installed after the unit 1 is installed on a hopper 8, asdescribed below in reference to FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 5 schematically represents an agitation unit 1 whose arms 2 areformed of wires attached to the hub 4 of the unit 1 and havingextensions 3 that are bent downward to an extent relative to the arms 2and hub 4 in order to protrude into the outlet passageways of a hopper(not shown). The hub 4 has a D-shaped hole in which acomplementary-shaped portion of a cam follower shaft 12 is received andsecured, for example, as depicted in FIGS. 4A through 4E. The arms 2 arenot integral extensions of the hub 4, but instead are shown asmetallurgically attached to the hub 4. In addition, the arms 2 extendoutward from the hub 4, but may not lie on radials of the hub 4 (i.e.,radials relative to the axis of the cam follower shaft 12). It should beapparent that while the arms 2 are shown as separate pieces of wire, thearms 2 may be formed by one or two wires so long as the wire formdefines extensions 3 that extend downward to an extent relative to thearms 2 and hub 4 so that they protrude into, but not through, the outletpassageways.

FIG. 6 schematically represents an agitation unit 1 whose arms 2 areformed of bent wires, but are not integral extensions of the hub 4 ormetallurgically attached to the hub 4. Instead, the arms 2 areremovable, replaceable, and repositionable by means of setscrews 23. Thedistal ends of two of the extensions 3 are shown as selectivelyprojecting downward to protrude into an outlet passageway of a hopper(not shown), whereas the distal end of the third extension 3 is shownpointing horizontally so as not to protrude into an outlet passageway ofthe hopper. The unit 1 is represented as being secured to the camfollower shaft 12 in a manner similar to what was described for FIGS. 4Dand 4F, though other affixing means are foreseeable.

The agitation units 1 described above are well suited for replacingconventional and original equipment agitators found on commerciallyavailable rotary spreaders equipped with oscillating agitation systems.FIG. 7 shows the agitation unit 1 and cam coupling unit 11 (comprisingthe cam follower shaft 12 and cam follower 13) of FIG. 4E installed ascomponents of an oscillating agitation system installed on a PermaGreen®Triumph Spreader Sprayer, aspects of which are disclosed in U.S. Pat.Nos. 6,336,600 and 7,954,573. FIGS. 7 through 10 show the agitation unit1, cam coupling unit 11, and other associated components of the TriumphSpreader Sprayer, which, as a matter of convenience, will be simplyreferred to as the “spreader” in reference to FIGS. 7 through 10. Agasoline motor 32 with centrifugal wet clutch is operably connected to adrive system 33 that includes belts and pulleys operably incommunication with a right angle gearbox 34, pump (not shown), andtransmission (not shown). A coupler block 35 operably connects theoutput shaft of the right angle gearbox 34 to a rotating shaft,corresponding to the drive shaft 16 described in reference to FIGS. 2and 3. A double sided impeller, corresponding to the impeller 9described in reference to FIG. 2, is operably attached to the driveshaft 16 by a clamp 38 to rotationally distribute a dry granularmaterial, for example, fertilizer, in a wide and even pattern as theimpeller 9 revolves. The cam 15 is operably affixed to the drive shaft16 by means of screws (not shown) and is in operable communication withthe cam follower 13 of the cam coupling unit 11. The hopper 8 containsthe granular material to be spread. Further illustrated is that theoutput shaft of the right angle gearbox 34 passes through a hood 39 thatcovers some working parts of the machine. A striker cam 40 is affixed tothe coupler block 35. As the drive shaft 16 rotates, the striker cam 40contacts a striker plate 41 affixed to the hood 39, for example, byscrews 42, thereby causing the hood 39 to oscillate to reduce materialbuild up.

FIG. 8 shows another view of the agitation unit 1 and oscillatingagitation system of FIG. 7, but modified to include means forestablishing different flow rates of granular material for differentground speeds of the spreader. A screen 43 provided to filter out largeparticles has a knob 44 attached by means of, for example, a lanyard(not show). A screen bolt 45 passes through one of the openings in thescreen 43 and is secured thereto by the knob 44. The opposite end of thescreen bolt 45 passes through a bearing of an ON/OFF metering plate 46,passes through the bottom wall of the hopper 8, and is secured theretowith a nut 47. As such, the ON/OFF metering plate 46 is pivotallyaffixed to the hopper 8 by the screen bolt 45, and serves as means forestablishing different flow rates of granular material through theoutlet passages 10 of the hopper 8. The ON/OFF metering plate 46 may beloosely supported from the bottom wall of the hopper 8 by washers andscrews (not shown). A push-pull rate control cable 48 is operablyconnected to the ON/OFF metering plate 46 for remote actuation by a ratecontrol arm assembly 60 shown in FIG. 9. The rate control arm assembly60 is located at a position (hereinafter, “operator's position”)accessible by an operator of the spreader. A hole pattern balanceadjuster 49 is slidably affixed to the ON/OFF metering plate 46. Apush-pull cable and lever (not shown) provide remote operation of thepattern balance adjuster 49 from the operator's position. A first rateadjuster plate 50 is affixed to the hopper 8. A rate adjuster arm 51 ispivotally mounted to the first rate adjuster plate 50 by a pivot boltand nut assembly 52. A rate adjuster cam 53 is affixed to one end of therate adjuster arm 51 and contacts the ON/OFF metering plate 46 to limitthe opening of the ON/OFF metering plate 46 to a desired discharge ofgranular material for a specific ground speed of the spreader,preferably its fastest speed of operation (referred hereafter as theHigh Speed Calibrated Setting). The opposite end of the rate adjusterarm 51 has an indicator notch 54 that locates a specific setting on afirst label rate gauge 55 affixed to the first rate adjuster plate 50.Once the High Speed Calibrated Setting is determined, the rate adjusterarm 51 is locked into position by means of a first knob and boltassembly 56 that passes through the rate adjuster arm 51 and through anarc-shaped slot 57 in the first rate adjuster plate 50. A limit nut andscrew 58 is then moved into operable contact with the first knob andbolt and assembly (56) rate adjuster and tightened. The first knob andbolt assembly 56 can now be loosened and the rate adjuster arm 51 may berotated to provide a larger opening in the ON/OFF metering plate 46 topermit cleaning and then conveniently returned into contact with thelimit nut and screw assembly 58 to precisely return to the High SpeedCalibrated Setting.

FIG. 9 shows a second rate adjuster plate 59 located at the operator'sposition. A rate control arm assembly 60 comprising a weldment of arighthand rate control arm 61, a pivot rod 62, and a lefthand ratecontrol arm 63 is operably connected to the ON/OFF metering plate 46 bymeans of a rate control cable 48. The rate control arm assembly 60 ispivotably mounted to a right pivot plate 64 and the second rate adjusterplate 59 with bearings (not shown). Moving the rate control arm assembly60 forward and rearward respectively increases and decreases the openingbetween the ON/OFF metering plate 46 and the outlet passageways 10 ofthe hopper 8 (FIG. 8) to permit more or less granular material to flowfrom the hopper 8. The passageways 10 are closed when the rate controlarm assembly 60 is in the rearmost position. A second label rate gauge65 is affixed to the second rate adjuster plate 59. The rate control armassembly 60 is positioned to limit the opening of the ON/OFF meteringplate 46 to the desired discharge of granular material for a specificground speed of the spreader that is desired for the slowest speed ofoperation (referred hereafter as the Low Speed Calibrated Setting). Oncethe Low Speed Calibrated Setting is located its position is set by meansof a second knob and bolt assembly 66 that passes through a secondarc-shaped slot 67 in the second rate adjuster plate 59 that limits theforward motion of the rate control arm assembly 60. A second limitingnut and screw 68 is then moved into operable contact with the knob andbolt assembly 66 and tightened to locate the Low Speed CalibratedSetting. The knob and bolt assembly 66 can then be loosened and pushedforward and tightened beyond the point of where the rate adjuster cam 53of the rate adjuster arm 51 stops the movement of the ON/OFF meteringplate 46 at the High Speed Calibrated Setting. The left hand ratecontrol arm 63 passes over the limiting nut and screw 68. It should benoted that the operator may change from High Speed to Low SpeedCalibrated Settings by selectively repositioning the knob and boltassembly 66 while at the operator's position. A deflector lever 69 isoperably connected to a push-pull deflector cable 70, the opposite endof which is operably connected to a deflector 71 shown in FIG. 10.

The deflector 71 may be selectively pivotally lowered to block granularmaterial from being broadcast beyond the spreader. A hinge 72 operablyand pivotally connects the deflector 71 to a suitable bracket 73 that isattached to the hopper 8. Adjustment slots 74 are provided to move thedeflector 71 forward to reduce, and rearward to increase, the amount ofgranular material spread beyond the lateral perimeter of the spreader. Aspring 75 assists in lifting the deflector up and out of the way of thegranular material being dispensed. The deflector cable 70 is in operablecommunication with the deflector 71, which is selectively raised andlowered by means of actuating the deflector lever 69 (FIG. 9).

Though the agitation units 1 described above are well suited forreplacing conventional and original equipment agitators found oncommercially-available rotary spreaders equipped with oscillatingagitation systems, the present invention also encompasses retrofit kitsfor converting conventional rotary spreaders with or without rotaryagitation systems to an oscillating agitation system that may utilizeany of the agitation units 1 described above, as well as additionalembodiments of agitation units within the scope of the invention.Particular but nonlimiting examples include such spreader brands asSPYKER®, EARTHWAY®, PRIZELAWN®, TURFEX®, SCOTTS®, and other spreadersand spreader sprayers that utilize their fertilizer hoppers, such as LTRich, Turco, TORO®, EXMARK®, and GROUND LOGIC®.

As a nonlimiting example, FIGS. 11 and 12 represent an agitation unit 1enclosed in a housing 24 (FIG. 13) formed by attaching a cover 25 to aguide block 26. Together, the cover 25 and guide block 26 define acavity in which a hub 4 of the agitation unit 1 is contained, and fromwhich arms 2 of the agitation unit 1 project through windows 27 of thehousing 24. The agitation unit 1 is coupled to a rotating cam 15 that iscoupled to a drive shaft 16, for example, the drive shaft 16 of theimpeller 9 of FIG. 2, for rotation therewith. The agitation unit 1 maybe coupled to the cam 15 with a cam bolt 28, which passes through a slot29 in the hub 4 of the agitation unit 1 before being threaded orotherwise attached to a lobe of the cam 15. As such, the slot 29 is anequivalent to the cam follower 13 of the cam coupling units 11 of priorembodiments, and in combination the cam bolt 28 and slot 29 constitute acam coupling unit that couples the agitation unit 1 to the cam 15.Friction between the cam bolt 28 and hub 4 and between the drive shaft16 and guide block 26 is represented as being reduced with bushings 30and 31, though other bearing means are foreseeable. To preventcontamination of the moving parts, seals (not shown) are foreseeable.The agitator unit 1, its housing 24, the cam 15, and various othercomponents can be installed as original equipment on a spreader or soldand installed as a retrofit kit to convert a rotating agitation systemof dispensing equipment (such as a broadcast rotary spreader) to anoscillating agitation system.

Positions 1, 2, 3, and 4 of FIG. 13 depict the progression of the actionof the agitation unit 1 caused by one revolution of the rotating cam 15.As the cam 15 rotates, the guide block 26 confines the motion of theagitator unit 1 within the housing 24 such that the rotational input ofthe cam 15 (and drive shaft 16) is converted into an orbital motion ofthe cam bolt 28, which through its interaction with the slot 29transmits a linear oscillation to the agitation unit 1 that is parallelthe arms 2, which in turn results in linear oscillatory motion of thearms 2 protruding from the guide block 26. As in prior embodiments, thedownwardly-projecting extensions 3 are configured to an extent relativeto the arm 2 and hub 4 to protrude into, but not through, the outletpassageways of a hopper (not shown) to break up any clogs or bridging ofthe material in the vicinity of the entrances to the passageways.

As another nonlimiting example of a retrofit kit, FIGS. 13 and 14represent exploded and assembly views of a nonlimiting retrofit kit forconverting conventional dispensing equipment, such as a broadcast rotaryspreader, equipped with a rotating agitation system to an oscillatingagitation system. Components of the kit disclosed in FIGS. 13 through 15are shown installed in the bottom wall of a hopper 8 of the dispensingequipment in which a single outlet passageway 10 is present. A rotatingdrive shaft 72 of the rotating agitation system extends into the hopper8 through a bearing 73 located in the bottom wall of the hopper 8.Similar to the drive shaft 16 of the oscillating agitation systemdiscussed in reference to the embodiments of FIGS. 1 through 12, theshaft 72 may be a drive shaft of an impeller (not shown) of thedispensing equipment for rotation therewith. The upper end of the shaft72 is received in a bore 83 in a cam 75 that is operably affixed to theshaft 72 by means of a bolt and nut 76. Other cam 75 and affixing meansare foreseeable. An agitation unit 1 within the scope of the inventionhas a hub 4, a single arm 2 extending from the hub 4, and multipledownwardly projecting extensions 3 on the arm 2. Other configurationsfor the hub 4, arm 2, and extensions 3 are foreseeable. The extensions 3may, but are not required to, project downwardly to an extent relativeto the arm 2 and hub 4 to extend into the outlet passageway 10. The arm2 is mounted on and extends laterally from a wire that functionallyserves as the hub 4 of the unit 1. The arm 2 is in operablecommunication with the cam 75 as a result of a leg 77 of the hub 4passing through a washer 80 and then being received in a cam hole 81 inthe cam 75, which preferably has multiple cam holes 81 and 82 that areoffset different distances from the rotational axis of the cam 75(coaxial with the bore 83). According to one nonlimiting embodiment, thecam hole 81 is offset about ⅜ inch (about one centimeter) from therotational axis of the cam 75 to deliver a ¾ inch (about 2 cm)oscillation when the cam 75 makes one revolution, and the second camhole 82 is offset about 0.5 inch (about 1.3 cm) from the rotational axisof the cam 75 to deliver a 1 inch (about 2.5 cm) oscillation when thecam 75 makes one revolution. The washer 80 acts as a seal to preventfertilizer accumulation within the holes 81 and 82. In combination, theleg 77 of the hub 4 and the offset cam holes 81 and 82 of the cam 75constitute a cam coupling unit for the agitation unit 1. Other camcoupling units are also foreseeable.

The opposite end to the hub (wire) 4 passes through an opening in anagitator holder 84 which acts as a guide for the end of the hub 4opposite the cam 75. The holder 84 can be suitably affixed to the hopper8, for example, with screws as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. The componentsof the retrofit kit, including the cam 75, arm 2, extensions 3, hub 4,and holder 84, are located inside the hopper 8.

Positions 1, 2, 3, and 4 of FIG. 15 depict the progression of the actionof the agitation unit 1 of FIGS. 13 and 14 caused by one revolution ofthe shaft 72 and cam 75. As the cam 75 rotates, the cam coupling unit(constituted by the leg 77 of the hub 4 and the offset cam holes 81 and82 of the cam 75) converts the rotational input of the cam 75 into anorbital motion of the leg 77, which transmits a predominantly orbitaloscillating motion to the arm 2 whose extensions 3 to break up any clogsand bridging to promote the flow of granular material from the hopper 8through the passageway 10. As part of a retrofit, the extensions 3 mayor may not protrude into the outlet passageway 10 depending on theparticular design requirements of the agitation system.

It is foreseeable that the kits represented in FIGS. 11 through 15 couldalso be configured to replace oscillating agitation systems of existingdispensing equipment, or installed as original equipment in newdispensing equipment.

It should be apparent that the agitation units 1 and their arms 2,extensions 3, and hubs 4 can be constructed of a variety of materials,for example, stainless steels, composites, plastics, and combinationsthereof. Furthermore, the agitation units 1 may be assembled in anysuitable manner and configured in size and shape as may be required tofulfill the intended purpose of an oscillating agitation system. Itshould be evident that the arms 2 and their extensions 3 can be fixed,adjustable, removable, replaceable, extendable, retractable, and/ororientated in numerous ways to provide a desired level of agitation. Itshould also be apparent that various alternative means of creating andtransmitting motion to the agitation units 1 are envisioned, particularbut nonlimiting examples of which include electrically powered solenoidsand vibrators.

The agitation units 1 described above are preferably capable of reducingabrasion of dry granular materials broadcast by dispensing equipmentequipped with oscillating agitation systems. The oscillating extensions3 of the agitation units 1 protrude into, but not through, theirrespective outlet passageways 10 to more effectively loosen bridgedparticles and break up clumps of particles for discharge through theoutlet passageway. As such, the agitation units 1 are capable ofoffering significant advancements in spreader technology and deliveringsuperior flow-through of granular material with less clogging and betterresults.

While the invention has been described in terms of specific orparticular embodiments, it is apparent that other forms could be adoptedby one skilled in the art. For example, the agitation units, oscillatingagitation systems, and various components of the dispensing equipmentrepresented in the drawings could differ in appearance and constructionfrom the embodiments described herein and shown in the drawings,functions of certain components could be performed by components ofdifferent construction but capable of a similar (though not necessarilyequivalent) function, and various materials could be used in themanufacturing of the agitation units and oscillating agitation systems.Accordingly, it should be understood that the invention is not limitedto any embodiment described herein or illustrated in the drawings. Itshould also be understood that the phraseology and terminology employedabove are for the purpose of describing the illustrated embodiments, anddo not necessarily serve as limitations to the scope of the invention.Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by thefollowing claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An oscillating agitation system for use indispensing equipment comprising a hopper, an impeller located beneaththe hopper and operable to spread a dry granular material deposited onan upper surface thereof, an outlet passageway in the hopper throughwhich the granular material drops from the hopper onto the impeller, anda rotating shaft, the oscillating agitation system comprising: a cam onthe rotating shaft; an agitation unit comprising a hub, an arm extendingfrom the hub, and an extension of the arm configured to projectdownwardly to an extent relative to the arm and the hub to protrudeinto, but not through, the outlet passageway of the hopper; and acoupling unit for coupling the arm to the cam, the coupling unitconverting a rotational motion of the cam into a clockwise andcounter-clockwise oscillating motion of the extension incounter-clockwise and clockwise directions about the axis of therotating shaft, the oscillating motion of the extension occurring onlywithin the outlet passageway.
 2. The oscillating agitation systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the agitation unit is a member of aunitary, one-piece article comprising the hub, the arm, and theextension.
 3. The oscillating agitation system according to claim 2,wherein the unitary, one-piece article further comprises means forfastening the agitation unit to the rotating shaft.
 4. The oscillatingagitation system according to claim 1, wherein the arm is removably,replaceably, and repositionably installed in the hub.
 5. The oscillatingagitation system according to claim 1, wherein the arm is one of aplurality of arms each extending in a generally radial direction fromthe hub.
 6. The oscillating agitation system according to claim 1,wherein the arm is one of a plurality of arms extending in parallel fromthe hub.
 7. The oscillating agitation system according to claim 1,wherein the coupling unit is configured to convert the rotational motionof the cam into the clockwise and counter-clockwise oscillating motionof the extension within the outlet passageway.
 8. The oscillatingagitation system according to claim 7, wherein the coupling unitcomprises a cam follower shaft to which the hub of the agitation unit ismounted and a cam follower in operable communication with the cam sothat the rotational motion of the cam causes the cam coupling unit andthe agitation unit to oscillate.
 9. The oscillating agitation systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the oscillating agitation system isinstalled on the dispensing equipment so that the extension on the armprotrudes into, but not through, the outlet passageway of the hopper anda rotational motion of the cam is converted into an oscillating ororbital motion of the extension within the outlet passageway.
 10. Adispensing equipment comprising a hopper, an impeller located beneaththe hopper and operable to spread a dry granular material deposited onan upper surface thereof, an outlet passageway in the hopper throughwhich the granular material drops from the hopper onto the impeller, arotating shaft, and an oscillating agitation system comprising: a cam onthe rotating shaft; an agitation unit comprising a hub, an arm extendingfrom the hub, and an extension of the arm; and a coupling unit forcoupling the arm to the cam, the coupling unit converting a rotationalmotion of the cam into a clockwise and counter-clockwise oscillatingmotion of the extension in counter-clockwise and clockwise directionsabout the axis of the rotating shaft, the oscillating motion of theextension occurring only within the outlet passageway; wherein theextension projects downwardly to an extent relative to the arm and thehub to protrude into, but not through, the outlet passageway of thehopper.